I listened to Leo recounting everything he had done during the sleepover.

Smiling, I nodded as I listened attentively even though I was already panicking on the inside.

He was going to visit the restaurant today and he had stated that if I ever lied to him, he will burn down this restaurant.

Not wanting to risk the customers and my employees's life, I had closed the restaurant for today.

As Leo had no school until next week, I would have to bring him along with me since I couldn't possibly leave him at home.

I was so afraid right now.

The door swung opened as Chase entered the office. "I have been expecting you." I sighed, placing Leo down as I urged him to play at the playground.

He ran out of the office in excitement. Now, it was just us alone.

He crossed his arms, sitting down on the armchair opposite me.

I gulped, closing my eyes as I shivered involuntarily.

Why did I land myself in such a vulnerable situation?

He tilted my chin to face him. "You are my son's mother, I don't want you to be scared of me."

"What?" My eyes widened in surprise, watching as he stood up and walked towards the area where Leo played his toys.

He picked up Leo's toy car and gently touched it. "I will make a deal with you, Gemini." He said, looking towards me as he placed the toy back to its place.

My eyes lit up in hope as he approached me like a predator preying on its prey.

Does he do that everytime to scare others off? He must have practiced a lot.

"My decision to buy this piece of land hasn't changed." I sighed, looking down in helplessness.

Why would his stubborn determination even waver?

"But, I will let you manage this restaurant."

I looked up, raising a brow in disbelief. "I know you won't simply let me manage this restaurant for nothing. What are the conditions?"

He smirked, "Still defensive as ever." He whispered, looking at me intently.

I swallowed my saliva and looked away. "If you want the custody of your son, I am not going to accept your deal. My son is more important than the survival of this restaurant."

"I know." He whispered while I tensed at the close proximity between us.

His fingers skimmed across my cheek as his nose gently nuzzled my neck.

What does he wants?

"I won't take Leo from you, but I want to acknowledge him as my son." Immediately, I tore away from him and stood up.

"No, you can't. It's too dangerous." I reasoned, shaking my head.

He turned his back on me and sighed, "If you're worried that he will come to any harm, I promise you that I won't allow that to happen."

"With Roderick somewhere in this world, how can you promise me that my son will be unharmed?" I blurted out, clenching my fists in horror of having my son being targeted if Roderick ever found out.

He turned around immediately. "Is that why you left me? Because you wanted to hide yourself away from him?" He demanded, his veins surfacing in anger.

I closed my eyes, "I thought that if I left you, he won't hurt you. I can't do anything about it five years ago." I whispered, opening my eyes as I faced his intimidating dark orbs.

"But, I am not going to stand there and do nothing when my son might be harmed. He's only four, please don't bring him into this mess." I begged, tears falling freely down my cheeks.

He clenched his jaws in anger and stormed out of the office. Tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably as I felt my knees buckled before me.

I slumped down onto the chair and covered my face with my palms, sobbing quietly as silence took over.

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23rd October 2016